Conversions & Swaps LSX Engines in Non-LSX Vehicles
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

LC9 Spark Plug Cans

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Jun 18, 2015 | 01:46 PM
  #1  
lutronjim's Avatar
Thread Starter
Teching In
 
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 21
Likes: 0
From: Dunwoody,Ga
Default LC9 Spark Plug Cans

Spark plug cans
I have a 'connect and cruise' package installed in my 70 C10 chev truck - LC9 and 65e tranny. I have headers installed and 3 plugs had to have the can and 'boot' removed because they kit the headers.

I am having loss of power at high altitudes and stumbling - above 3000' or so.

Chevy dealer claims its because the cans are missing, spark is jumping to headers. The is at least .5 inch between the wire and header. Since the plug gap is maybe .060 inches this doesn't seen possible to me. They claim the load on the engine is causing the spark to jump.

Does anybody know the real purpose of the cans and boots? I have heard radio interference suppression and wire insulators because of heat.

Hope I'm not duplicating -tried to post yesterday but couldn't find it.

Thanks
Reply
Old Jun 18, 2015 | 05:20 PM
  #2  
jmd's Avatar
jmd
TECH Addict
20 Year Member
Photogenic
Liked
Loved
iTrader: (4)
 
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 2,620
Likes: 36
From: T56th Street, Aridzona
Default

Well, let's acknowledge you will lose power above 3000' in any gas engine and a "good enough" fuel & spark setup can show faults and weird drivability issues when you start pushing a mile up. (Years back, I moved to an area about 5,500' higher in altitude.)

Where are you starting and how high are you going? Are you running 87 octane the whole time? 93? 85? Are there are any codes being set? How about live data logs of misfires or timing pulled? On the spark, does it noticeably jump spark in the dark?
I'd start by bending or trimming the cans to see if they work. Or aftermarket wires.

To be honest, it's probably simpler to go with good aftermarket wires with 90deg. or bendable boots at the plug and never look back. The OEM straights have never been the hot ticket with headers.
Reply
Old Jun 18, 2015 | 05:24 PM
  #3  
sierravmax's Avatar
TECH Apprentice
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 351
Likes: 0
From: Lexington, S.C.
Default

What is a Lc9?
Reply
Old Jun 18, 2015 | 05:35 PM
  #4  
jmd's Avatar
jmd
TECH Addict
20 Year Member
Photogenic
Liked
Loved
iTrader: (4)
 
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 2,620
Likes: 36
From: T56th Street, Aridzona
Default

Originally Posted by sierravmax
What is a Lc9?
The 2bbl 1.6L Toyota engine in a 1988 Nova.
Reply
Old Jun 18, 2015 | 05:49 PM
  #5  
sierravmax's Avatar
TECH Apprentice
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 351
Likes: 0
From: Lexington, S.C.
Default

Originally Posted by jmd
The 2bbl 1.6L Toyota engine in a 1988 Nova.
lol I can't keep up with how many engine codes they have for the 5.3.
Reply
Old Jun 18, 2015 | 05:56 PM
  #6  
jmd's Avatar
jmd
TECH Addict
20 Year Member
Photogenic
Liked
Loved
iTrader: (4)
 
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 2,620
Likes: 36
From: T56th Street, Aridzona
Default

You know darn well I googled to know it was a FF 5.3
Reply
Old Jun 19, 2015 | 11:30 AM
  #7  
lutronjim's Avatar
Thread Starter
Teching In
 
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 21
Likes: 0
From: Dunwoody,Ga
Default

Thanks

The LC9 is the truck engine with variable cam timing up front. I installed 'connect and cruise' GM performance package. Specs call for 87 gas.

Problem first appeared when running the blue ridge parkway - around 5000'. Hadn't had truck running long and it would fairly leap up the hills. I was going down a long grade and then back up another. Fairly cold weather. When I started back up there was a major loss of power and stumbling - not skipping. Moving gas petal make very little difference.

Kinda concerning - almost no cars at time of year and no cell coverage. I have experienced same kind of problem at lower ells 3000'-3800' but not as severe.

I had truck in for service and on this issue they said it was caused by spark jump and an exhaust leak at collector which threw off o2 sensor. I just don't buy their answer. Package is covered for 2 year and 50,000 miles.

Where can I get angled plug wires for LS?

Thanks
Reply




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 11:05 PM.

story-0
Amazing '71 Camaro Restomod Is Modern Muscle Car Under the Skin

Slideshow: This heavily modified 1971 Camaro mixes classic muscle car styling with a fifth-generation Camaro interior and modern LS3 power.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:06:42


VIEW MORE
story-1
6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them

Slideshow: From wobbling harmonic balancers to failed EBCMs, these are the issues that define long-term C5 ownership and what repairs typically involve.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-07 18:44:57


VIEW MORE
story-2
Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph

Slideshow: A modern Camaro transformed into a retro icon, this limited-run "Bandit" build blends nostalgia with brute force in a way few revivals manage.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-21 13:57:02


VIEW MORE
story-3
Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked

Slideshow: Cadillac didn't just crash the high-performance luxury vehicle party, it showed up loud, supercharged, and occasionally a little unhinged...

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-16 10:05:15


VIEW MORE
story-4
Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!

Slideshow: Top ten most powerful Chevy trucks ever made

By | 2026-03-25 09:22:26


VIEW MORE
story-5
Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP

Slideshow: Hennessey has turned the Silverado ZR2 into a 700-hp off-road monster with supercharged V8 power and a limited production run.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-24 18:57:52


VIEW MORE
story-6
Coachbuilt N2A Anteros Is an LS2-Powered C6 Corvette In Italian Clothes

Slideshow: A one-off sports car that looks like a vintage Italian exotic-but hides a C6 Corvette underneath-just sold for the price of a new mid-engine Corvette.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-23 18:53:41


VIEW MORE
story-7
Awesome K5 Blazer Restomod Comes With C7 Corvette Power

Slideshow: A heavily reworked 1972 K5 Blazer swaps its off-road roots for a low-slung street-focused build with modern V8 power.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-09 18:08:45


VIEW MORE
story-8
10 Camaros You Should Never Buy

Slideshow: There are thousands of used Camaros on the market but we think you should avoid these 10

By | 2026-02-17 17:09:30


VIEW MORE
story-9
10 LS Engine Myths That Refuse to Die

Slideshows: Which one of these myths do you believe?

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-01-28 18:10:11


VIEW MORE